Monthly Archives: November 2013

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Jockey Ryan Moore, fresh from a second success last weekend in the Japan Cup on board Gentildonna, which was a back-to-back win for the filly in the big race, is ride in another major race in Japan on December 22.

Ryan Moore

He has been booked to ride Gold Ship in the Arima Kinen, where other top horses are likely to include Orfevre and Kizune, which were second and fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

He replaces Japanese jockey Hiroyuki Uchida on Gold Ship, following two disappointing runs by the horse when finishing 15 out of 17 in last weekend’s Japan Cup.

This is a similar situation to that which brought about his booking for the Japan Cup and following that victory he said: “On a personal level, I wanted to win the Japan Cup, and I needed a filly as tough and genuine as her to do it.”

Moore has been based in Japan for a three-month contract with the Japan Racing Association, but has still managed to have top rides in the Kentucky Derby, the Melbourne Cup, the Dubai World Cup, the Canadian International prior to the Japan Cup, and will also compete in the Hong Kong Cup next month.

The British Horse Society has highlighted the need for Government to act urgently to end the neglect of thousands of horses by addressing the illegal and unacceptable practice of ‘fly grazing’ in England, which was the subject of a passionate and well-attended Westminster Hall debate on November 26 sponsored by MP for East Hampshire, Damian Hinds.

Fly GrazingPhoto: World Horse Welfare

Almost 30 MPs from across the political spectrum and geography of England demanded that action be taken on the apparent epidemic of horses being left to fend for themselves on land where they do not belong.

MPs spoke of how they had been contacted repeatedly by their constituents about the illegal practice that was blighting their communities and causing horses to suffer, while local agencies struggled to address the problem under current laws.

While the Welsh Government has proposed fast tracking a new bill to address fly grazing, Defra has been reluctant to act. “This debate shows that Defra risks burying its head in the sand when it says current laws are adequate to address the problem, and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders will make a difference. We welcome Shadow Minister Huw Irranca-Davies’s commitment to act against this flagrant abuse of horse welfare and trashing of our urban and rural areas. I hope that Ministers will now take the issue a bit more seriously,” said Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare.

“The message is loud and clear that this problem is due in part to an equine identification system that is unfit for purpose and is not being enforced. We need to change this urgently, and we need to reverse the burden of proof of ownership. No microchip, no horse,” he added.

“MPs from all parties and parts of the country showed the depth of despair felt by their constituents on the horse crisis and their fears it will get worse once the Welsh legislation goes through. This is a once in an life time opportunity for Defra to sort out the horse problem. Sadly they continue to ignore these concerns,” said David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs for the RSPCA.

“It is clear that MPs are aware of how difficult fly grazing is to address and the immense burden this plague is putting on charities, farmers, local authorities, enforcement agencies and the taxpaying public. No one group can solve this problem alone, and we need government support, and greater support for local authorities, to cope with the crisis we are in,” said Lynn Cutress, Chief Executive of Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Steve Goody, Blue Cross Director of External Affairs, commented: “While we welcome yesterday’s debate as a step in the right direction it’s disappointing the Government continue to resist charity calls to consult on future legislation and follow the lead from Wales. New measures presented by the Antisocial Behaviour Bill may well provide some solutions if accompanied by equine specific guidance and the resources local authorities so desperately need.” “We know from our members that fly grazing is an issue that affects people and horses nationwide. The proposed Welsh legislation is a very welcome step forward but Defra need to be aware that it is likely to push more fly grazers into England.

“We are so pleased that this debate has taken place but Westminster now needs to follow the Welsh example and take concrete steps to protect horses and landowners. This is a time for action; the existing legislation is woefully inadequate,” said Lee Hackett, BHS Director of Policy. Some MPs mentioned that horses may need to be culled to help address large number of horses being abandoned or neglected. Around 100 horses needed to be euthanased on welfare grounds in a recent operation involving hundreds of horses in Wales earlier this month. Welfare charities are going to extraordinary lengths to take in as many horses as possible and provide them with the care they need; however, with around 7,000 horses at risk of abandonment and neglect the scale of the horse crisis far exceeds the capacity even of all charities combined.

Tiverton trainer Nigel Hawke took the opening race at Fontwell Park’s meeting yesterday with 3-1 shot Mister Wiseman, overturning the third-placed favourite, Join The Navy. Thomas Cheeseman partnered the winner in this race for conditional jockeys, where locally trained According To Them, a 16-1 shot impressed in second place under rider Patrick Corbett.

Join The Navy could only finish third, Lawny Hill’s Frosty Lad was pulled up and Full of Beans unseated his rider. The only other finisher was Curragh Dancer, trained by Paddy Butler, which was 19 lengths behind the first three.

Nigel Hawke was thrilled with the win, saying that Mister Wiseman had jumped superbly throughout. On his last outing at Market Rasen, where he had won previously ,the horse had slipped up on the final circuit when certain to win the race.”He jumped superbly today and it was a good comfortable victory. I’ve had this horse a long time and he means a lot to me,” he added.

According To Them trained under permit in West Susssex by Daniel Steele, was a good second

According To Them, ridden by Patrick Corbett, was an eye catching second. He is trained on the outskirts of Henfield by Daniel Steele. Daniel had ridden out for Gary Moore in nearby Horsham for more than seven years but took out a permit to train his own horses just over a year ago and has four horses which have been running.

Trainer Daniel Steele

He had two seconds a third and a fourth place to his credit prior to According To Them’s latest effort.

“The main thing was getting According To Them to finish a race and he put in a good performance today. I have three other horses – Hold The Bucks, Kasban and Niceboy. Hold The Bucks runs at Uttoxeter tomorrow ( Wednesday) ,” he said,

In form Emma Lavelle sent out Junction 14 to win the 2m 4f novice hurdle, by head from Cloud Creeper, trained by Philip Hobbs. She described the Kings Theatre four-year-old as ‘ a green baby’ on his previous runs.

“Fontwell is not an easy track for a novice, but I would bring him back here again,” she said after the victory. She had to settle for second place in the Novice Handicap Steeple Chase though, when her evens favourite,Red Rock, was given a seven-lengths beating by Strawberry Hill, a 5-2 shot trained by Caroline Keevil.

French-bred Unsist, trained by Nick Gifford at Findon, is a smart horse with plenty of potential. His future looks to be over fences, but he had to run from 8lb out of the handicap in this race because there was no suitable novice chase for him. “Hopefully he will get a handicap mark to suit him for his next run,” said Nick.

Victor Dartnell’s horses are firmly back in the winner’s enclosure and Seebright won the 32Red Casino Handicap Hurdle Race of the day by three-quarters of a length with Jack Doyle in the saddle. Owner Mrs Dawn Fleming was delighted with the performance.

Bridgwater trainer Carroll Gray made the trip pay off when saddling up 9-4 favourite Volio Vicente to win the 32Red.com Handicap Steeplechase. The six-year-old gelding had run only seven days previously and he had the edge over Richard Rowe’s Alteranthela, in second place, which had been off the track for 169 days. But Alteranthela ran well enough and will be better for this outing.

Good stayer, Volio Vincente trained by Carroll Gray, with owners Optimum Racing and jockey James Best

The final two races of the day went to Neil Mulholland, who saddled up 7-1 shot Kilrush to win the final handicap hurdle ridden by Michael Byrne, and Caroline Keevil, who secured a double when her 16-1 shot Larks Rising took the National Hunt Flat Race with Tom O’Brien in the saddle.

The next meeting at Fontwell Park will be on Tuesday December 12 with a Christmas Party Raceday with a chance to win an annual Fontwell Park membership for 2014.

Champion trainer Richard Hannon has confirmed that his son, Richard Hannon Junior will take over as trainer at his stables at Herridge Racing Stables in Wiltshire as from January 1.

Hot on the heels of the announcement came the news that Horris Hill winner,Piping Rock, which was recently acquired by Sheikh Mohammed’s operation, will join Richard Hannon Junior next season, along with Irish Derby winner Trading Leather.

Richard Hannon Senior to hand over reins to his son on January 1

The announcement was made on his son’s 38th birthday, but not much will change in the running of the training operations there. Hannon Senior retires as champion trainer, a title he has held for three of the past four years, but says he will still be up and out in the morning for the first lot, but will go racing less often.

He said his son had more than earned the right to have his name on the licence.

Richard Hannon Junior

” I love being with the horses but, these past couple of seasons, I have started to wind down and go racing less,” he said.

But his eye for a good horse will still be an asset to the yard, enabling the fomidable training operation there to succeed with cheaply bought horses. This year was a classic example, with the most expensive of stable superstars of 2013, Olympic Glory, Toronado and Sky Lantern, costing just £65,000.

Sky LanternPhoto John Preston

Hannon Senior will have one final chance of bringing home a big winner before he hand over the reins. Sky Lantern in set to compete in the Hong Kong Cup on ridden by his son-in-law Richard Hughes. Meanwhile he has praised his son, for improving the quality of horses in the yard by bringing in owners like Sheikh Hamdan and Qatari Sheikh Joaan.

THE British Horse Society has welcomed the suggestion from HRH The Princess Royal that a debate is needed into Britain’s attitude towards horsemeat and how this might impact on equine welfare.

Pens being used as an emergency measure for abandoned horses. Photo: World Horse Welfare

UK’s largest equestrian membership charity believes that The Princess Royal’s comments, made recently at World Horse Welfare’s annual conference in London, have highlighted important issues that merit immediate attention.

The Princess Royal suggested that a market for horsemeat might encourage owners to provide better care for their horses in the expectation that the animals will have a financial value at the end of their lives.

The British Horse Society’s Welfare Officers experience cases every day where horses have been left to deteriorate and suffer because the owner is not willing or able to fund a humane and timely end to the horse’s life.

Lee Hackett, BHS Director of Equine Policy, said: “The resources of all equine welfare charities are being stretched as never before, due to the recession coupled with over-breeding in the equine population.

“We firmly believe that we should concentrate on the thousands of horses that need our help right now and allow individuals to make their own decision about which meats are acceptable for consumption. If the comments from The Princess Royal open a debate regarding solutions to the equine crisis, then The British Horse Society believes they have been extremely productive.”

World Horse Welfare, of which the Princess Royal is president, is fighting a major problem in trying to stop increasing numbers of horses being abandoned throughout the country because of inability to care for them financially.

Olly Stevens and his wife Hetta are looking ahead to the 2014 Flat season following an outstanding first season of training from Robins Farm Racing Stables, near Chiddingfold. In the 2013 season, they had a Royal Ascot winner and saddled the first and third in a Group race at Doncaster. Not only that but they sent out 17 winners and 36 placed horses, with prize money passing the £200,000 mark.

A yearling filly by Linngari out of Fire Sale being paraded in front of guests at Saturday’s parade of yearlings

From these superb facilities they train horses for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, Pearl Bloodstock, and also have horses available for other owners. On Saturday they held a 2013 yearling parade at the stables, with seven young horses going on view, two of which have been sold, with the remaining five currently available for ownership.

“We are very excited about next year. We have 40 horses in, with some still to come, so we are pretty full and have some of the best facilities for our horses, having installed a galloping treadmill which has been highly successful in producing very fragile horses, as well as a vibrating solarium. We have excellent vets and an outstanding staff team, while Nick Pearce, known for riding and training point-to-pointers at Tunbridge Wells, has done an outstanding job of breaking in some of our yearlings,” said Olly.

Trainer Olly Stevens

He reminded guests that among the horses still for sale at the 2012 yearling parade 12 months previously, were a colt by Comacho and another by Dandy Man that were paraded before performing impressively on the round gallop.

“A year on, that Camacho colt, Green Door, is a Group 2 winner, and the Dandy Man colt, Extortionist, won impressively when taking the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. These two and many other winners have given us a most fantastic first season and we look forward to building on these successes in 2014 with another crop of exciting yearlings, as well as several top class contenders for the major three-year-old races next year.

“Extortionist and Green Door were both available for sale this time last year- so don’t miss out again!” he warned guests at the parade.

Nick Pearce with a filly he broke in for the stables. She is by Royal Applause out of Fatal Attraction

He added: “The yearlings on show have been bought for Robins Farm Stables by Alastair Donald of Sackville Donald, which is responsible for Chrisselium ( 40,000 gns yearling, winner of the Group 1 Fillies mile and Group 1 Breeders Cup juvenile fillies turf and is now 2014 Guineas Favourite), as well as Sky Lantern, and some 36 other Group 1 winners- all of this in only a few years of starting the business.”

Olly and Hetta have been scouring sales across Europe and North America looking for horses that show athleticism, toughness and temperament. They both feel these ingredients, together with the training programme and facilities that they are continually developing at Robins Farm, will contribute to ongoing success on the track.

Hetta Stevens with The Paco Kid

Olly mentioned there would be syndicated horses under the banners of Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, the pioneer of the professional racehorse syndication market, now headed by Sam Hoskins and Piers Winkworth, and with which former owner of Robins Farm Racing Stables, Peter Winkworth is now involved. Additionally, he welcomed Dan Abraham of Foxtrot Racing, responsible for a range of ‘Foxtrot’ horses over the years at the stables, starting with Foxtrot Alpha.

Robins Farm Racing Stables is also home to horses trained for Pearl Bloodstock and Sheikh Fahed Al Thani- but there were some impressive top class yearlings at the parade, still available for other owners.The first of these was a bay colt foaled in March 2012 by Group 1 winning sire Kyllachy and out of mare Rustam. Olly described him as ‘an exciting early type- a tough compact colt with a big walk and ideal for a syndicate’.He added: “He is a cracking colt, who gets on with his work and eats everything up.”

This colt was followed by a French-bred filly by Group 1 winning stallion Linngari who looked athletic and progressive and, he suggested, could be the ticket for weekends away racing in France. A filly by Royal Applause out of Fatal Attraction was a stunner and Olly warned she will not be an early season runner, but with a patient approach should come into her own in the second half of her juvenile season and be an exciting prospect as a three-year-old.

Another Royal Applause offspring to be paraded was a classy colt out of Irish-bred Thara’a, while a bay filly by 2000 Guineas winner Makfi, out of Elegant Pride was another promising prospect.

Makfi filly out of Elegant Pride

A Paco Boy colt bought at the DBS Premier Sale and out of mare Linea, was particularly impressive but has now been sold and is one to watch out for next season.He has been named The Paco Kid.

A bay filly by Kyllachy and out of Cherokee Stream, has also been snapped up. She is a very well-balanced filly, bought at Doncaster for 30,000 guineas, who seems set to make an impact as a two-year-old.

For more information about ownership, or joining a syndicate at Robins Farm Racing Stables contact the office on 01428 682059.

Fontwell Park Racecourse has published its 2014 fixture list, as well as announcing some outstanding membership offers, with an early bird discount making 2014 membership available for just £199.

Take advantage of Fontwell Park’s membership offers to enjoy days like these

Apart from entry to all of Fontwell’s 24 fixtures next year, it also includes free admission to all 15 racecourses under the umbrella of owners Arena Racing Company, including Brighton, as well as entry on a reciprocal basis to more than 30 selected days at Cowdray Park Polo, Cricket at Arundel and Hove, and show jumping at Hickstead- as well as racing at Goodwood, Ascot, Newbury, Chester and elsewhere.

The membership also includes up to £50 worth of vouchers for discounts and offers at every ARC racecourse, four complimentary admission tickets valid at any ARC racecourse.

Some of the facilities at award-winning Fontwell Park racecourse

Other benefits include access to the annual members’ box at Fontwell Park, with trackside viewing, balcony and bar, annual walk of the course and lunch with the clerk of the course, a tipping competition for every raceday and prize at the end of the year for the overall winner- as well as a visit to a training yard, with transport costs additional.

An autumn membership is also available for £75 to cover fixtures for the remainder of this year, including Boxing Day. For more information, or to book by phone, coontact Fontwell Parj on 01243 543335 or email Annual Members Ambassador Tara Williams on twilliams@fontwellpark.co.uk
Racing will take place at Fontwell Park in 2014 on:Thursday January 9, Sunday January 26, Thursday February 13, Sunday February 23 ( National Spirit Hurdle), Wednesday March 5 ( Cheltenham Preview Day), Saturday March 15, Tuesday March 25, Friday April 11, Friday May 2 (evening), Thursday May 15 (evening), Sunday May 25, Tuesday June 10, Thursday August 14 (Ladies Evening), Thursday August 28, Sunday September 7, Friday October 3, Saturday October 4, Wednesday October 22, Friday November 7, Sunday November 16, Wednesday November 26, Tuesday December 9; Friday December 26 ( Boxing Day).

MPs will debate fly grazing in Parliament this Tuesday 26 November, at 2.30pm. Please email yout MPs now and ask them to attend this debate – and if you have experienced problems with fly grazed horses in your area, tell them about that too so they will see how this issue affects their constituents.

A group of andonedhorses taken in by the charityPhoto: World Horse Welfare

As we all know, the UK’s horses are facing a crisis. 7,000 of them are at risk of becoming welfare cases, and winter is approaching fast.

Around half of these horses at risk are being ‘fly grazed’ – placed illegally on land without permission to graze and left to fend for themselves. The Welsh Government has proposed new legislation that may help to ease the problem there, by allowing ‘fly grazed’ horses to be removed more quickly.

This could be great news for Wales – but if England doesn’t follow suit, we may simply see thousands of horses being moved from Wales to England, putting even more pressure on to local authorities and charities, and leading to more horse suffering.

Hannah Lynch, Campaigns Officer at World Horse Welfare has appealed to everyone to give this support by contacting their MPs and asking them to vote for this vital legislation to prevent the remainder of the British Isles being flooded with dumped horses.

Lowered market values and demand for horses coupled with the increasing costs of caring for a horse have left many owners in a situation where they can neither look after nor sell their horses – leading to an increase in neglect and abandonment. Fly grazing – where horses are left on land without the landowner’s permission – has also become more common across the country.

Equine charities are already full of horses that have been rescued from neglect and abuse – before winter arrives, which is likely to make the situation even worse as horses struggle to cope with harsh weather conditions. Action is desperately needed now.

World Horse Welfare is a leading international equine welfare charity which world to improve the lives of horses throughout the UK and and the world through education , campaigns and hands-on work with horses.

It is a registered charity, number 206658 and RSCO38384, based at Anne Colvin House, Snetterton, Norfolk. You can also help it continue its work by donating to its funds. Contact the charity at:http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org

Full of festive fun and edge of your seat competition, Olympia, The London International Horse Show is an event not to be missed this Christmas.

This year’s event includes a new performance on the opening evening of Monday December 16, when the show presents a High School Gala evening. This will comprise a full display from the world famous Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. The riders dressed in 18th century uniform, with their magnificent grey and bay Spanish stallions will provide a stunning display of the very best equestrian quality.

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art during a performance.Photo: Royal Andalusian School of EA

The evening will also include a dressage masterclas from international riders.The show will also host 3 FEI World Cup competitions in showjumping, dressage and driving, bringing the best competitors to London. Fantastic displays include the Shetland Pony Grand National, which has all the excitement of a traditional horse race, and the fast and furious Kennel Club Dog Agility.

Highlights are: Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage LegTM supported by Horse and Hound on Monday December 16 and Tuesday December 17. The Royal Analusian School of Equestrian Art Gala Evening Monday December 16 at 7.30pm. Extreme Driving FEI World CupTM Thursday December 19 afternoon and Friday December 20 evening. The Longines FEI World CupTM Saturday December 21 afternoon and finally The Olympia Grand Prix Sunday December 22 evening.

A West Sussex riding club’s popular winter and summer dressage series will have a new home in the New Year. Goring and District Riding Club will be moving from Hangleton Equestrian Centre in Ferring to Wanleys House, Wandleys Lane,Fontwell.

The club is sad to leave Hangleton where it has seen its dressage series blossom, but is also looking forward to the new facilities offered by Wanleys House. The club is already using Wanleys House for a series of gridwork and jumping clinics with instructor Chris Watts and is planning some flatwork clinic

The recent dressage event on the October 27 saw more than 45 entries even though it was a wet and windy day with the big storm forcast looming.The last dressage to be held at Hangleton wil be on November 24.

In the latest competition, regular competitor and member of Goring and District Riding Club, Pat Paris and her gelding Hugo, were in a unique exact tie with Pat’s partner Graeme Burton riding Lilly. They achieved joint second place in the Prelim 2b and qualified for Hickstead.